Walking motion propelling apparatus



v. G. ANDERSON WALKING MOTION, PROPELLING APPARATUS May 15, 1923. 1,455,380

Filed Ap il 22 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1923. 1,4553% V. G. ANDERSQN WALKING MOTION, PROPELLING APPARATUS Filed Apri 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 15, 1923. 1,455,380

V. G. ANDERSON WALKING MOTION, PROPELLING APPARATUS Filed April 22 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 15, 1923. V. G. ANDERSON WAL ING MOTION, PROPELLING APPARATUS Filed April 22 191s 5 Sheets- Sheet. 4

V. G. ANDERSON WALKING MOTION, PROPELLING APPARATUS I UNITE.

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VINCENT G. ANDERSON, or nnnosrra, wrscoivsrn, essrenon, BY .MESNE AssIGn MENTS, TO F. C. AUSTIN MACHINERY COIVIE'ANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WALKING MOTION PRQZPELLING APPARATUS. I y i Application filed April 22, 1918. I Serial Nof229,845;

ratus of that kind in which the structure as a whole is so constructed and operated that it has a walking mot on, being constructed to move forward intermittently, the. weight being first supported on the main frame or body and then on the auxiliary frame in a manner which is characteristic of apparatus of this kind.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus of the foregoing general character. A special object is to provide a novel and improved means for intermittently shifting the main frame or body above the ground, and for shifting the auxiliary frame in a similar manner, practically by one and the same mechanism; to provide an improved construction and arrangement whereby the main frame or body, and also the auxiliary frame, may be rotated about a vertical axis, by means of a turn-table,thereb-y to facilitate the work of handling and shifting the structure in the desired direction; and to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and desirability of a propelling apparatus of this particular construction.

Apparatus of this kind can be used for various purposes, and may be employed, for example, for propelling a large and heavy excavator forward along the ground, such as an ordinary drag-line bucket excavator, but the invention is not limited to any particular use or purpose.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which z- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a walking motion propelling apparatus embodying the principles of the invention, showing both the main frame and the auxiliary frame .resting on the ground. V

Figure 2 shows the auxiliary frame in raised position, and partially moved forward, being in position to complete its forward movement 'by the operation of the shifting mechanism.

Figure 3 shows the forward motion'of the auxiliary frame completed, and shows this auxiliary frame lowered to the ground in its advanced position.

Figure 4 shows the main frame. or body of the excavator in raised position, and par-' tially shifted forward, beingin position to complete its forward movement by the further operation of the shifting mechanism.

Figure 5 is a plan of' a portion o'f'the structure shown in said preceding'views, the parts being in the positions shown in Figure 1, and someoof the upright portions'beingshown in hor zontal section, and other parts being broken away, to more clearly illustrate the construct-ion of. the shifting apparatus I p y As thus illustrated, the invention comprises a. mainframe or body composed of trussed or otherwise strengthened side frames 1, suitably connected together'by cross-members 2, so thatastrong and rigid frame is provided of the desired size and shape. This frame is supported by rollers 3, some of which are provided with cog-teeth, to travel on the: rack 4 of the turntable 5, the latter being supported by hangers 6 0 11 the body 1, these hangers having rollers 7 which engage the lower track 8 within the turnetable, whereby the latter may be raised from the ground with the body 1 of the excavator or other structure. The cog-wheels 8 may have rollers '9 associated with the teeth to carry the weight on the smoothcircular'tracks of the turn-table, and any suitable power-transmitting connections,lead ing from an engine orinoto-r (notshown) can be employed for operating these pinions or cog-wheels to turn the bodyi about a vertical axis, on the turn-table, in a manner that will be readily understood. I

The auxiliary frame comprises upright members 10 atopposite sides of the main frame or body, the latter having a slot-or longitudinal space ll at each side thereof in which the two auxiliary frames are adapted to have relative movement longitudinally of the structure. The two upright members 10 are connected together at their'up'per ends by longitudinal brace or member 12, and i below by upper and lower racks 13 and 14:, and the lower ends of the members 10 rest on a longitudinally disposed shoe or sledrunner 15 which rests on the ground; and the two members 10 at the opposite side of the main frame or body are-connected to gether and mounted and arranged in the same manner. The main frame or body'is provided with a transverse shaft 16, extending underneath said frame, and the ends of this shaft, which is mounted in bearings 17,

are provided with segmental pinions 18 to engage the teeth of saidracks; Any suitable power-transmitting-connection can be employed to transmit power froman engine or motor to the shaft 16, to operate the segmental pinions 18, and to thereby alternately lift and lower the auxiliary frame having the shoes 15, and to alternately lift and lowerthe main frame comprising the side frames. 1, thereby to produce the walking motion, which is substantially as foll0ws':- In Figure 1 the turn-table 5 is resting on the ground, and the shoes 15 are also resting" on the ground. Rotation of the shaft 16, to

. shoes 15, so that said frame and shoes assume into an advanced position.

the position shown in Figure 2, and further rotation of thesegment'al pinions. finally lowers the auxiliary frame to the ground again, but in anadvanced position, as shown in Figure 3; and the operation of the shift ing mechanism continuing, the segmental pinions 18 will then travel forward upon the teeth of the racks 1 1, until these pinions assume the position shown in Figure 4, thereby raising the main frame or body, and also the turn-table 5, so that the entire weight ofthe main frame and the auxiliary frame is now supported by the shoes 15, and whereby the main frame or body is brought By continuing the operation of the mechanism, the main frame or body-con'iprising the side frames 1 and the turn-table 5.will then move forward a distance, and will then be lowered to the ground, as shown in Figure 1, so that the mainframe or body will be brou ht into its farthest or most advanced position, by two steps forward, the auxiliary framehaving been shifted forward one step, and the main frame or body having been shifted forward one step; and this operation is repeated, it will be understood, until by this walking motion the excavator or other structure or machine iscaused to travel for ward the desired distance. r

The turn-table 5 can be supported on the ground by any suitable means, by shoes, or

any event, though, it willbe seen that with a propelling apparatus of this kind a large and very heavy body can be shifted or caused to travel from one place to another, over soft ground, and over stretches of territory which would make it impractical to endeavor to use wheels or caterpillars or other similar de-' vices. Also, a shifting apparatus of this kind can be manufaoturedor constructed'in a very inexpensive manner, so that the cost is less than would be required with other types of traction or propelling devices.

sol.

Furthermore, with the construction shown and described, which is illustrative the invention, the sh fting IDGClIcUllSHl'lS' comparatively simple,,'and. the up-and-down movements and the forward movements are produced by one and the same mechanism,

whereas with certain other types ofwalkingmotion propelling'apparatus one set of devices is necessary for lifting or shifting the main frame'or body, and another set of devices is necessary for lifting and shifting the auxiliary frame, and in some cases the apparatus is quite complicated. With the constructionshown and described, however, involving the racksf13 and: 14:, and the segmentalpinions 18, which are illustrative of and embody the principles of the invention,

the walking motion is continuous, so to speak, inasmuch as the rotation of the'shaft 16 is all that is necessary to raise and shift both the auxiliaryfframe and; the main frame, and this intermittent walking motion is maintained as long as the shaft is rotated, and in this way one mechanism or one set of devices is practically sufiicient to produce .the walking motion. r It will be understood that in the various figures of the drawings the front and rear ends of the main frame or body are shown broken away for convenience of illustration, but said body may be ofany suitable or desired length, and it Will be seen that the weight thereof is so, well balanced by the shifting mechanism that while the vmain frame or body. is being SlllftGClI-hfl entire weight is supported by the shoes- 1'5, at least for a portion of the forward shifting motion thereof. .Thisis also true of theauxiliary frame, forat certaintiines it is entirely off the'ground, and is supportedby the main frame or body. However, the

shoes for the bottom of the turn-table and the auxiliary-frame canbe ofsuch character that they will slide readily forward on the ground, if there is any teetering or'tilting or dragging motionof either the main frame or the auxiliary frame which might occur, for example, daringthe initial lift'-. ing of either the mainframe or the auxiliary frame, or during the' fin'al forward shifting thereof.

mg to similarly motion of either frame. In any event, though, as shown and described, the walking motion is produced by comparatively simple means, and by reason of the turn-table, when the auxiliary frames are raised from the ground,"the main frame or body can be swung around about a vertical axis, and in this way the direction of travel can be changed at will.

Itwill be seen that the auxiliary frame preferably comprises two frame sections,

each frame section including a shoe 15 and the risers or upright men'ibers 10 mounted thereon, and the two frame sections being disposed at opposite sides of the main frame I or body of the excavator or other structure. But. with the mechanism shown and described, the two auxiliary frame sections move forward in unison, and are raised and lowered in unison. in. a manner thatwill be readily understood.

l/Vith the construction shown and described it will be seen that the side frames (10, 12,13 14) form an auxiliary frame which is movable up and down in the main frame 1, so that this auxiliary frame is held against lateral displacement, being guided up and down by the structure of the main frame, in a manner that will be readily understood. The turn-table is disposed between the two side frames, and supports the entire structure when it"is on the ground,

the auxiliary frame to a substantial height-- above the ground, shift it horizontally forward and lower it again onto the ground, and engagement with the other section servcontrol the main frame to accomplish a forward step I movement 2. A walking motion propelling apparatus comprising a main frame, side frames forming an auxiliary frame arranged to move up and down in the main frame, means to support the main frame on the ground, means to support the auxiliary frame on the ground, and mechanism adapted by continuous operation thereof to alternately lift said frames, so that said frames alternately support each other, thereby to intermittently propel them forward, whereby each frame moves forward horizontally while the other is stationary, said mechanism comprising upper and lower racks 'on the auxiliary frame disposed below I frames, and a. segmental pinion" carried by the main frame and adapted to alternately engage said racks, so that the pinion en'- gages the lower rack to liftthe main frame and engages the upper rack to lift the auxiliary frame. I 1 i I 3. A walking motion propelling apparatus comprising a main frame, side frames forming an auxiliary frame arranged to move up and down in the main frame, means to support themain frame on the ground, means tosupport the auxiliary frame on the ground, and mechanism adapted by continu ous operation thereof to alternately lift said frames,so that said frames alternately sup port each other, thereby to intermittently propel them forward, whereby each frame moves forward horizontally while the other the tops "of; both is stationary, said 'mechanism comprising in spaced horizontal racks on the auxiliary frame and a rotary toothed segment on the main frame disposed between and adapted to alternately engage-said racks to successively lift and advance saidqmain and auxiliary frames. I

4. A walking motion propelling apparatuscomprising a main frame, side frames forming an auxiliary frame arranged to move up and down in the mainframe, means to support the main frame on the ground,

means to support the auxiliary frame on the ground, and mechanism adapted by continuous operation thereof to alternately lift said frames, sotha-tsaid frames alternately support each other, thereby to intermittently propel them forward, whereby each frame moves forward horizontally while the other is stationary, said mechanism including an upper rack, a lower rack, and a pinion to alternately engage said racks, so that said pinion engages one rack to lift the main engages the other rack to lift the 1 frame and auxiliary frame.

5. A walklng motion propelling apparatus comprising a mainframe, side frames forming an auxiliary frame movable up and down in the mam frame, a rotary actuating member on the mam frame,sp.aced sections on the auxiliary frame above and below said" memberand adapted to be successively en-* gaged thereby to alternately lift said frames andpropel them forward horizontally, so that the weight of the structure is first on one, frame and then on the other, to produce a walking motion, and a turn-table carried by the bottom of thelmain frame, between the two side frames, whereby the entire structure may be turned about a vertical axis when the auxiliary frame is lifted from the ground;

6. A, structure as specified in claim 5, sai d auxiliary framecomprising a shoe at each vside of the main frame, with frame inembers extending upward from each shoe, so

that the auxiliary frame is composed of two frame seotio,ns, the main frame being movable up and down on said members, and said turn-table being disposed between. said frame sections of the auxiliary frame.

7. A walkingmotion propelling appar tus comprising a main frame, a turntable base below'said main frame,'means onthe main frame to lift the turn-table base, when "the main frame is, raised, means to support the main frame for rotary motion on the turn-tablebase, side frames forming an auxiliary frame, means to support the auxiliary frame on the ground, an upper rack oneach side frame, a lower rack on each side frame, a transverse shaft journaled on the main frame, and a segmental pinion disposed on said shaft at each side of the main frame, saidpinions beingadapted to engage said racks to move the side frames up and down '1 in said main frame, therebyFcausing the main frame and the auxiliary frame to alternately move forward, saidmaln frame having side portions which prevent lateral displacement of. said auxiliary framepl, 1 j

8. In apparatus of the character described, thecombination of aturn-tablebase, a body frame, means on said body'frame to lift said turn-tablebase, when the body frame is raised, said meansbeing' disposed at different points adjacent to the outer sides of said base, means on thebody frame to travel on the turn-table base when the latter rests on the ground, and means for lifting the body frame to raise the turn-table base from the ground, and forpmoving theframc and turntable forwarda distance.

9. A structure as specified in claim 8,. said means for lifting the turn-table base comg prising hangers on the body frame, a circular track on said base, and means on the lower ends of said hangers to engage the under side of said track. I

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook County,

I11inois, th-is 23rd dayof March, 1918.

. -viNo N'r e, annnnsonsg 

